Perth Lunar Platinum

The Platinum Perth Lunar: Chinese Zodiac Cycle in Platinum

The Perth Mint Lunar series follows the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle, with three complete cycles planned: Series I (1996-2007), Series II (2008-2019), and the current Series III (2020-2031). The programme was conceived for the Asian-Pacific market, where the Chinese lunar calendar carries deep cultural significance, and has since developed a global collector following. The platinum version is struck in 999.5 fineness (99.95% pure) as Australian legal tender.

Platinum editions have been produced in limited quantities alongside the more established gold and silver versions. The 1 oz Platinum Lunar carries an A$100 face value and features the same zodiac animal reverse as the gold and silver versions for that year. The annual design change tied to the zodiac cycle is the series' central appeal: each of the 12 animals (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig) gets a fresh interpretation in each series.

Dragon years (2000, 2012, 2024) are consistently the most popular and fastest to sell out across all metals, reflecting the dragon's status in Chinese culture as a symbol of power and good fortune. This demand pattern creates predictable premiums on Dragon-year coins that exceed other zodiac animals. For platinum specifically, the smaller production volumes amplify this effect.

The Perth Mint was the first major western mint to create a precious metal coin programme celebrating the Chinese lunar calendar. Competitors have since entered the space (The Royal Mint's Lunar series, for example), but the Perth Mint's programme has the longest track record and the strongest brand recognition in Asian markets, particularly in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Platinum Lunar Specifications

Edge type is reeded. The coin carries the "P" mintmark identifying the Perth Mint, and Series III coins (2020 onward) feature a micro-laser engraved letter as a security measure, detectable only under magnification.

Gold Lunar Specifications (for comparison)

The gold version is available in a much broader range of sizes:

Gold coins are 999.9 fine (four nines), while the platinum is 999.5 (the universal platinum bullion standard). Silver purity has evolved across the series: 999 for Series I, 999 for early Series II (2008-2016) then 9999 for late Series II (2017-2019), and 9999 throughout Series III.

Security Features (Series III)

• Micro-laser engraved letter: A small letter engraved using laser technology, detectable only under magnification.
• "P" mintmark: Perth Mint identification mark incorporated into the reverse design.
• Radial line background: Precision-machined lines on the coin surface that are difficult to replicate.

Series I and II coins have no advanced security features beyond standard Perth Mint production quality.

Platinum Lunar Tax Treatment by Country

Australia

Investment-grade platinum at 99% purity or higher is GST-free. The Lunar's 999.5 fineness qualifies. Capital gains tax applies on disposal, with a 50% discount for holdings over 12 months. There is no blanket CGT exemption for Australian legal tender bullion coins.

United States

Perth Lunar platinum coins are IRA-eligible. The 999.5 fineness meets the IRS requirement for platinum (99.95% or higher), and they qualify as sovereign legal tender coins from a recognised mint. Capital gains are taxed as collectibles at up to 28% federal rate. Perth Lunar coins have a strong collector base through US dealers including APMEX and JM Bullion.

United Kingdom

Platinum Lunar coins attract 20% VAT on import and purchase. They are not UK legal tender, so they are also subject to CGT on disposal. The Platinum Britannia is the only platinum coin offering CGT exemption for UK residents. Gold Lunar coins are VAT-free as investment gold, but this exemption does not extend to platinum.

Canada

Qualifying bullion coins from recognised mints are GST/HST-exempt at 99.5% purity or higher. The Lunar qualifies. May be held in RRSPs through qualifying dealers for some metal types.

Other Jurisdictions

• New Zealand: GST-exempt at 99% purity. No CGT.
• Singapore and Hong Kong: Strong demand for Lunar coins driven by the cultural significance of the Chinese zodiac. Singapore offers IPM GST exemption for qualifying platinum. Hong Kong has no sales tax, no import duty, and no CGT.
• European Union: Platinum is subject to standard VAT rates. Gold Lunar coins typically appear on the EU Gold Coins List for VAT exemption, but the platinum version receives no equivalent treatment.

Three Decades of Zodiac Coins

The Perth Mint launched the Lunar series in 1996 with the Year of the Mouse (Rat) gold coin, becoming the first major western mint to celebrate the Chinese lunar calendar in a bullion programme. The decision was strategic: Australia's geographic proximity to Asia and the Perth Mint's established distribution channels in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia positioned it to capture demand that no European or North American mint was serving.

Series I (1996-2007) established the template. Gold was the primary metal, struck in 999.9 fineness across sizes from 1/20 oz to 1 kg (with the extraordinary 10 kg coin added in 2006; the 2007 Year of the Pig 10 kg gold had a mintage of just 6 pieces). Silver was added from 1999 in 999 fineness. Design style was traditional with a pimpled (dotted) border and Chinese characters for the zodiac animal. Series I coins from early years (1996-1999) are now significantly scarcer than later dates and command substantial premiums.

Series II (2008-2019) brought more complex, detailed designs and moved away from the dotted border. Some years featured multiple animals on the reverse. Silver purity was upgraded mid-series (2017) from three nines to four nines. The 1 oz silver diameter changed from 40.6 mm to 45.6 mm (wider but thinner), which means storage tubes from Series I do not fit Series II coins.

Series III (2020-2031) is the current cycle. It features the most intricate designs yet, with landscape elements surrounding the zodiac animal and enhanced security (micro-laser engraving, "P" mintmark, radial line background). Silver reverted to 40.6 mm diameter at a different thickness. Platinum editions have appeared during this series for the 1 oz size, adding a third metal option to the annual release.

Dragon years remain the most desirable across all three series. The 2000, 2012, and 2024 Dragon coins have consistently achieved faster sell-outs and higher secondary market premiums than any other zodiac animal. This pattern is not random; the dragon holds a uniquely elevated position in Chinese culture as a symbol of imperial authority, strength, and prosperity.

Platinum Lunar vs Other Zodiac Coins and Sovereign Platinum

The Platinum Lunar's most direct competitor is the Chinese Gold Panda from the China Mint (1982), which also features annually changing designs linked to Chinese culture. The Panda switched from troy ounces to metric grams in 2016, making the standard size 30 g rather than 1 troy oz (31.1 g). Panda gold is 999 (three nines) vs the Lunar's 999.9 (four nines). The Lunar's mintages are generally more controlled, and the Perth Mint's provenance and quality control are more transparent to Western buyers. Both series carry strong collector premiums on specific years.

Against the major sovereign platinum coins that are primarily bullion products (not zodiac-themed), the Platinum Lunar occupies a niche position. The Platinum Maple Leaf offers the most competitive premiums and Bullion DNA authentication. The Platinum Britannia provides UK CGT exemption. The American Platinum Eagle has the deepest US secondary market. The Platinum Kangaroo is the Perth Mint's own flagship platinum product with broader availability.

The Lunar's advantage is the collectibility layer. Platinum Lunar coins serve a dual purpose: bullion investment (platinum content at 999.5 fineness) and collectible (annual zodiac designs with controlled mintages). Complete zodiac cycles, Dragon years, and early Series I dates have historically appreciated above spot value. For a buyer who plans to hold platinum long-term and values the possibility of numismatic appreciation alongside metal value, the Lunar offers something that a fixed-design bullion coin cannot. For pure cost-per-ounce platinum accumulation, the Maple Leaf or Philharmonic will typically be more economical.